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*1325 ORDER DENYING DEFENDANTSâ MOTION TO DISMISS AMENDED COMPLAINT MORENO, District Judge. Plaintiffs bring this action for trademark infringement, breach of contract, and related theories of relief against the Defendants. Presently before the Court is Defendants TrafiExpress, S.A. de C.V., Grupo TrafĂmar, and Willy T. Toedtliâs Motion to Dismiss the Amended Complaint (D.E. No. 12), filed on September 21, 2005. Plaintiffs filed their response on November 2, 2005, and the Defendants filed their reply on November Ik, 2005. Individual Defendant Kevin Eggartâs Adoption of the Motion to Dismiss the Amended Complaint was filed on December lk, 2005. For the reasons set forth below, the Defendantsâ motion to dismiss is DENIED. I. BACKGROUND Plaintiff, TNT Holdings B.V. (âTNT Holdingsâ), is a Dutch company incorporated in the Netherlands that operates a global system of express international parcel delivery, TNT Holdings is also engaged in the business of handling and arranging for the transportation and delivery of large quantities of bulk international mail. To complete its international network, TNT relies on a series of affiliated companies, such as Plaintiff TNT USA, Inc. (âTNTâ), as well as local providers to handle deliveries abroad. Defendant TrafiExpress, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Mexico, is one of these local providers relied upon by TNT. TrafiEx-press is a subsidiary of Defendant Grupo TrafĂmar, a corporate parent company similarly incorporated in Mexico and operated by Defendant Willy T. Toedtli (âToedtliâ), a citizen of Mexico who resides in or near Mexico City, and Defendant Kevin Eggart (âEggartâ), a citizen of the United States who currently resides in or near Miami, Florida. A. Joint Operating Agreement between TNT and TrafiExpress In order to develop its business in Mexico and better compete with other providers in the Mexican market, TNT entered into a business relationship with TrafiEx-press in July 1999. The goal was to increase TNTâs express parcel sales and to make the âTNTâ brand recognizable in Mexico for express delivery of international parcels, TNT and TrafiExpress entered into a Joint Operating Agreement (âJOAâ) which provided that TrafiExpress would operate as TNTâs exclusive agent for the delivery of TNTâs international parcels destined for Mexico. In addition, the JOA provided that TrafiExpress would act as TNTâs exclusive agent for the pick-up and preparation of âoutboundâ express packages originating in Mexico for uplift to TNTâs Miami hub and subsequent delivery in the United States and abroad. B. License Agreement between TNT Holdings and TrafiExpress Included in the JOA was a License Agreement between TNT Holdings and TrafiExpress. This License Agreement granted TrafiExpress the non-exclusive right to use the distinctive âTNTâ trademark and other related marks in connection with the performance of its duties as TNTâs agent under the JOA. The âTNTâ trademark and other related marks are duly registered under the laws of the United States and Mexico, and are owned by TNT Holdings. The License Agreement expressly prohibited TrafiExpress from li *1326 censing any of the TNT-related marks to any other person or entity without TNT Holdingsâ prior written consent. In addition, the License Agreement required TrafiExpress to submit all literature, stationary, advertising and other materials that incorporated the âTNTâ mark to TNT Holdings prior to making any use of the mark in any such materials. C.Alleged Violation of the Joint Operating Agreement From mid 1999 to 2005, TrafiExpress operated as TNTâs exclusive agent in Mexico and worked closely with TNTâs Latin American hub, located in Miami. TrafiEx-press coordinated its services with TNT by sending personnel to Miami in order to learn TNTâs shipment protocols, its proprietary systems, and the process of moving international parcels. Pursuant to the JOA, TrafiExpress also received, processed, sorted, and delivered TNT express parcels that arrived in Mexico through the Miami hub. However, TrafiExpressâ conduct regarding outbound parcels allegedly failed to adhere to the companyâs JOA with TNT. Although TrafiExpress was TNTâs exclusive agent for express parcels that originated in Mexico, TNT claims TrafiExpress failed to ship a significant portion of outbound parcels it collected within the TNT network. Rather than utilize TNTâs network, TrafiExpress allegedly shipped packages to customers in the United States using TNTâs American-based competitors, such as the United Parcel Service (UPS). According to TNTâs Complaint, during the first half of 2005, TrafiExpress shipped approximately 4900 parcels with TNTâs American competitors, thereby breaching the JOA and depriving TNT of business and profits. D. Trafimarâs Use of the TNT Trademark on the Web Beginning in or about 2004, defendants allegedly caused TNTâs trademark and TNTâs related marks to be posted on Tra-fimarâs internet web site, which Trafimar utilizes to attract customers in the United States and elsewhere. Trafimarâs web site appears in both Spanish and English versions, and both versions are accessible in the United States and around the world. Plaintiffs? complaint states that TNTâs trademark appeared in the Spanish version of Trafimarâs main web page, while TNTâs trademark and related marks were utilized on other web pages within Trafi-marâs website. Allegedly included within these webpag-es on Trafimarâs site are purported descriptions of TNTâs âGeneral Information,â TNTâs âWorldwide Philosophy,â TNTâs âLatin American and Caribbeanâ services, and other information that conveys the look and appearance that the information originated from TNT and was approved for use by TNT. However, TNT argues that various statements found on these webpages concerning TNT are inaccurate. Plaintiffsâ complaint states that at no time did Trafimar or TrafiExpress seek to obtain the approval of TNT Holdings or TNT for the use of the âTNTâ trademark and related marks on Trafimarâs web pages. Plaintiffs allege that both Toedtli and Eg-gart caused the âTNTâ mark and related promotional materials to be posted on Tra-fimarâs web pages, and knew of and approved the inaccurate literature and advertising relating to TNT. E. Termination of the Joint Operational Agreement by TNT On or about May 30, 2005, TNT states that it decided to terminate the JOA under *1327 Section 4.4, which provides that either party may end the relationship, for any reason, upon 30 daysâ written notice. According to the complaint, TrafiExpress reacted to TNTâs termination by serving a number of written notices upon several of TNTâs worldwide offices asserting that under Mexican law and provisions of the Mexican Constitution, TNT could not exercise its express, agreed-upon right to terminate the JOA set forth in Section 4.4. In addition, TrafiExpress asserted that as a result of TNTâs notice of termination. TrafiEx-press was entitled to recover $48 million in alleged damages from TNT-despite Section 7 of the JOA, which provides that neither party shall be liable to the other for any special, economic, or consequential loss suffered by that party. Because TNT states that initial notice of termination sent on May 30, 2005 did not adhere to Section 4.4 specifications under the JOA, TNT sent another letter in late June 27, 2005 providing notice to TrafiEx-press that the JOA would terminate upon no less than 30 days notice (pursuant to Section 4.4 of the JOA). The letter was delivered by hand to TrafiExpressâ offices in Mexico City, thereby setting the termination date as July 30, 2005. Notwithstanding this letter of termination, Plaintiffs claim that TrafiExpress responded via letter that it would continue its operations, including its use of the âTNTâ mark. According to the complaint, TrafiExpress also asserted once again that ending the partiesâ relationship in the manner set forth in the JOA violated provisions of the Mexican Constitution, the Mexican Civil Code, and the Mexican Code of Commerce, and reiterated the companyâs right recover $48 million in alleged damages from TNT. F. Plaintiffsâ Amended Complaint Plaintiffs allege that TrafiExpress continues to engage in the express parcel business in Mexico and conducts business with other companies, some of which are TNTâs competitors. Plaintiffs also claim that despite termination of the JOA, Traf-iExpress continues to use the TNT mark and related materials. Plaintiffsâ Amended Complaint seeks relief based on eleven counts. Count 1 requests damages under the Lanham Act for âunpaid royalties and unauthorized use of the âTNTâ mark.â Count 2 seeks injunctive relief under the Lanham Act based upon substantially the same allegations. Counts 3 and 4 are based on alleged breach of contract and seek reimbursement for unpaid royalties and the return of promotional TNT materials. Count 5 is a claim for conversion of profits for the alleged misuse of the TNT mark. Counts 6 and 7 seek damages based on unjust enrichment for the alleged misuse of the TNT mark and improper use of TNTâs trace-and-track system. Count 8 requests damages for tortious interference with a business relationship premised on the acts of independent Mexican governmental and labor organizations. Count 9 is a prayer for declaratory judgment as to the effect of Mexican law. Count 10 requests an order requiring TrafiExpress to specifically perform under the termination clauses of the contract. The final count, Count 11, is premised on substantially the same acts as Count 8, but seeks relief under the theory of commercial disparagement. II. LEGAL STANDARD A court will not grant a motion to dismiss unless the plaintiff fails to allege any facts that would entitle the plaintiff to relief. Conley v. Gibson, 355 U.S. 41, 45-46 , 78 S.Ct. 99 , 2 L.Ed.2d 80 (1957); see also Bradberry v. Pinellas County, 789 F.2d 1513, 1515 (11th Cir.1986). When rul *1328 ing on a motion to dismiss, a court must view the complaint in the light most favorable to the plaintiff and accept the plaintiffs well-pleaded facts as true. Scheuer v. Rhodes, 416 U.S. 232, 236 , 94 S.Ct. 1683 , 40 L.Ed.2d 90 (1974); St. Josephâs Hosp., Inc. v. Hosp. Corp. of Am., 795 F.2d 948 , 953 (11th Cir.1986). III. ANALYSIS In their Motion to Dismiss, defendants argue that the facts of this case do not permit the extraterritorial application of the Lanham Act, and therefore this court does not have subject matter jurisdiction over the plaintiffsâ trademark infringement claims. Defendants argue that not only is this case subject to dismissal for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, but also claim the case should be dismissed pursuant to the doctrine of forum non conveniens because all eleven counts of the Amended Complaint are based upon acts occurring in Mexico and under Mexican law. A. Extraterritorial Applicability of the Lanham Act and Subject Matter Jurisdiction A federal court may âdismiss a federal question claim for lack of subject matter jurisdiction only if (1) the alleged claim under the Constitution or federal statutes clearly appears to be immaterial and made solely for the purpose of obtaining jurisdiction; or (2) such a claim is wholly insubstantial and frivolous.â Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Alabama v. Sanders, 138 F.3d 1347, 1352 (11th Cir.1998) (quoting Bell v. Hood, 327 U.S. 678 , 66 S.Ct. 773 , 90 L.Ed. 939 (1946)). Analysis of the extraterritorial applicability of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1051 et seq., is required to determine whether the Court possesses subject matter jurisdiction in this case. The Supreme Court has held that the Lanham Act confers jurisdiction over extraterritorial disputes involving trademark infringement and unfair competition when: 1) Defendant is a United States corporation; 2) the foreign activity had substantial effects in the United States; and 3) exercising jurisdiction would not interfere with the sovereignty of another nation. Steele v. Bulova Watch Co., 344 U.S. 280, 286-87 , 73 S.Ct. 252 , 97 L.Ed. 319 (1952); Intâl Cafe, S.A.L. v. Hard Rock Cafe Intâl (U.S.A.), Inc., 252 F.3d 1274, 1278 (11th Cir.2001). In applying this three-part test, âthe absence of one of the [Bulova] factors might well be determinative and.. .the absence of both is certainly fatal.â Vanity Fair Mills, Inc. v. T. Eaton Co., 234 F.2d 633, 640 (2nd Cir.1956); Intâl Cafe, 252 F.3d at 1278 (adopting the Courtâs reasoning in Vanity Fair). 1) Defendants include a United States citizen In this case, a majority of the defendants are Mexican citizens: Trafimar and TrafiExpress are Mexican corporations, while Toedtli is a citizen of Mexico. However, the presence of defendant Kevin Eg-gart, a United States citizen, appears to satisfy the first element under Bulova. Although Eggart is not a United States corporation as stated in the first prong of the Bulova test, his control of TrafiEx-pressâ activities within the United States from Miami, Florida undoubtedly strengthens the plaintiffsâ case for extraterritorial application of the Lanham Act. Moreover, despite being headquartered in Mexico City, TrafiExpressâ extensive use of TNTâs Miami hub to conduct substantial business with customers inside the United States also furthers the applicability of the Lanham Act in this case. 2) Substantial effect within the United States Through its connection with TNTâs Miami hub, TrafiExpress has clearly exerted a *1329 significant effect upon United States commerce, thereby satisfying the second element of the Bulova test. TrafiExpress meets the second prong in two distinct ways: (1) Through actual misuse of the TNT trademark in United States commerce and (2) through its website, which continues to identify TrafiExpress as an agent of TNT. Bach of these uses of the TNT trademark by TrafiExpress shall be addressed in turn. A. Use of the TNT trademark in the United States In the Amended Complaint, plaintiffs have pointed out several ways in which TrafiExpress has dealt continuously with the American market: ⢠Defendants handled plaintiffsâ shipments from the United States, and regularly shipped parcels to TNTâs hub in Miami. ⢠Defendants regularly shipped freight, cargo, and household goods to and from the United States, including the Port of Miami â with TNTâs American competitors. ⢠During the first five and a half months of 2005, TrafiExpress shipped nearly 8,500 international express parcels from Mexico through TNTâs Miami hub and then into the United States, amounting to nearly 15 tons of material. ⢠Defendants worked closely with TNTâs Miami facility; TrafiExpress personnel traveled to Miami in order to be trained with respect to TNTâs shipment protocols, its proprietary systems and the process of moving international parcels through Miami. These examples of TrafiExpressâ involvement in the U.S. market disprove defendantsâ claim that the reach of its business activities and trademark use are limited to Mexico alone. In addition to the aforementioned activity, it is also important to note TrafiEx-pressâ use of TNT competitors to ship 4,900 parcels to customers within the United States as stated in the Amended Complaint. By allegedly breaching the JOA and utilizing TNTâs competitors to deliver packages around the country, TrafiEx-pressâ unapproved use of the TNT trademark could adversely affect TNTâs trade reputation in the United States. Allowing TrafiExpress to ship packages under the TNT label to customers with the help of TNTâs very own competitors prevents TNT from regulating the use of its trademark and creates a likelihood of confusion amongst customers as to the source of packages affixed with the TNT label. See Planetary Motion, Inc. v. Techsplosion, Inc., 261 F.3d 1188, 1193 (11th Cir.2001) (explaining that âlikelihood of confusionâ analysis includes a âsource or sponsorship testâ to protect use of a mark that would âreasonably be thought by the buying public to come from the same source, or thought to be affiliated with, connected with, or sponsored by, the trademark ownerâ) (quoting J. McCarthy, § 24:6); Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon, Inc. v. Longhorn Steaks, Inc., 106 F.3d 355, 360 (11th Cir.1997) (discussing the factors used in assessing whether or not a likelihood of consumer confusion exists). As in Bulova, the effects of defendantsâ activities in this case are not confined within the territorial limits of a foreign nation. TrafiExpressâ involvement in United States commerce is clear, its use of the TNT trademark has extended beyond the Mexican border and therefore the plaintiffsâ trade reputation is affected in *1330 markets cultivated by advertising in the United States. Therefore, defendantsâ actions fall under the purview of the Lanham Act, especially since TrafĂExpressâ allegedly misappropriated the TNT trademark within the United States, by using it in dealing with TNTâs competitors. In its reply, TrafĂExpress argues that since the JOA did not permit them to deliver TNT packages outside of Mexico, its actions effectively ended at the Mexican border. However, accepting the plaintiffsâ well-pleaded facts as true, TrafiEx-press did allegedly misappropriate the TNT trademark and breach the JOA by shipping packages to locales within the United States through TNTâs competitors. TrafĂExpress also argues that even if it did prepare packages which ultimately traveled through Miami, this is insufficient to warrant the extraterritorial application of the Lanham Act. However, this link is not insufficient when compared to the petitionerâs actions in Bulova. In Bulova, a United States citizen purportedly manufactured and sold counterfeit watches in Mexico, allegedly infringing upon the United States trademark of a United States corporation. The effects were not confined to Mexico however, as the court noted that both parties were American, U.S. components were used in the watches, and that sometimes the watches were repaired at U.S. jewelers. See Steele v. Bulova Watch Co., 344 U.S. 280, 284-85 , 73 S.Ct. 252 , 97 L.Ed. 319 (1952). The Bulova court found these effects to be substantial in nature, and in the case at bar, the effects of TrafĂExpressâ business are similarly felt beyond the borders of Mexico. First, the plaintiff owning the TNT trademark is a subsidiary incorporated in the United States, while one of the principle decision-makers behind the corporate defendants is a U.S. citizen residing in Miami, Florida, Second, the packages shipped by TrafĂExpress reach consumers in the United States through TNTâs Miami hub, a shipping point that defendants have in some instances used to capture TNTâs profits by dealing with rival delivery companies. And third, the defendants have not only shipped their packages throughout the United States, but also brought personnel to the United States for training, directly advertised in the United States., and solicited business within the United States. Thus the effects of Traf-iExpressâ business are clearly as substantial as those of the petitioner in Bulova, who didnât even directly engage United States customers as TrafĂExpress did. In this case defendantsâ actions namely the alleged delivery of 15 tons of material through TNTâs Miami office in the first five and half months of 2005-have exerted a sufficient effect on interstate commerce for subject matter jurisdiction to attach. This conclusion is not only supported by the Supreme Courtâs holding in Bulova, but also by Eleventh Circuit case law, which has repeatedly found the Lanham Act extraterritorially applicable where some component of the alleged infringement has taken place within the United States. See Levi Strauss & Co. v. Sunrise International Trading, Inc., 51 F.3d 982, 985 (11th Cir.1995) (finding subject matter jurisdiction despite the fact that the counterfeit jeans at issue were manufactured outside the United States and not intended for sale here; the court in Levi Strauss based its holding on several factors, including the shipment of the counterfeit jeans through the United States on their way to Europe, and the United States residence of the individual defendants); Babbit Electronics v. Dynascan Corp., 38 F.3d 1161 , 1179 (11th Cir.1994) (finding an effect on *1331 interstate commerce and applicability of the Lanham Act to sales of telephones conducted exclusively outside the United States where materials were, as in the case at bar, shipped through United States territory). 1 B. TrafiExpressâ Website The Eleventh Circuit has held that activities conducted exclusively over the Internet can affect interstate commerce sufficiently for subject matter jurisdiction to attach. In Planetary Motion, Inc. v. Techsplosion, Inc., 261 F.Sd 1188, 1193 (11th Cir.2001), the Eleventh Circuit held that the distribution of software over the Internet satisfied the Lanham Actâs âuse in commerceâ jurisdictional predicate. The Eleventh Circuit based its reasoning in Planetary Motion, in part, on the holding of Planned Parenthood Fedân of Am., Inc. v. Bucci, finding that â[t]he nature of the Internet indicates that establishing a typical home page on the Internet, for access to all users, would satisfy the Lan-ham Actâs âin commerceâ requirement.â Id. at 1195 (quoting Planned Parenthood Fedân of Am., Inc. v. Bucci, 1997 WL 133313 (S.D.N.Y.1997)); see also Shatel Corp. v. Mao Ta Lumber and Yacht Corp., 697 F.2d 1352, 1356 (11th Cir.1983) (stating that â[advertising that affects interstate commerce and solicitation of sales across state lines or between citizens of the United States and citizens and subjects of a foreign nation is... commerce within the meaning of the Lanham Actâ). The Courtâs holding in Planetary Motion illustrates that the Lanham Actâs âuse in commerceâ predicate is far easier to satisfy when the internet presence is coupled with actual infringement. The Eleventh Circuit clarified this point in its recent decision, Bond v. Ivy Tech State College, 2006 WL 306046 (11th Cir.2006). In Bond , the court emphasized that it has â[njever.. .addressed the question of whether the more existence of a website that is visible in a forum, by itself, confers jurisdiction over the siteâs owner.â The Eleventh Circuit went on to point out that other circuits have found such circumstances insufficient to confer jurisdiction. Bond, 2006 WL 306046 , at *2 (citing McBee v. Delica Co., Ltd., 417 F.3d 107, 124 (1st Cir.2005) (holding that â[t]he mere existence of a website does not show that a defendant is directing its business activities towards every forum where the website is visibleâ)). Defendants cite Bond as proof that the presence of TrafiExpressâ website alone is insufficient to establish subject matter jurisdiction. In this case, however, the plaintiffs are not attempting to obtain subject matter jurisdiction solely through TrafiExpressâ website and its alleged solicitation of American customers. Instead, the basis for subject matter jurisdiction is the combination of TrafiExpressâ website *1332 with the defendantsâ alleged use of the TNT trademark to facilitate deliveries into the United States. Plaintiffs need not demonstrate actual use of the TrafiEx-press website by American consumers, or prove that the site has led to actual sales. By relying on both an internet presence and allegations of actual infringement, TNT makes clear that a likelihood of confusion over source and sponsorship does exist that may very well endanger the goodwill associated with TNTâs trademark. Therefore, viewing the complaint in the light most favorable to the plaintiffs and accepting the plaintiffsâ well-pleaded facts as true, defendantsâ website helps strengthen plaintiffsâ overall case for the extraterritorial application of the Lanham Act. B. Forum Non Conveniens At its discretion, a court may dismiss a case for forum non conveniens âwhen trial in the chosen forum would establish ... oppressiveness and vexation to a defendant ... out of all proportion to plaintiffs convenience, or when the chosen forum [is] inappropriate because of consideration affecting the courtâs own administrative and legal problems.â Piper Aircraft Co. v. Reyno, 454 U.S. 235, 249 , 102 S.Ct. 252 , 70 L.Ed.2d 419 (1981). Furthermore, âdismissal will ordinarily be appropriate where trial in the plaintiffs chosen forum imposes a heavy burden on the defendant or the court and where the plaintiff is unable to aver any specific reasons of convenience supporting its choice.â Id.; see also Burt v. Isthmus Development Co., 218 F.2d 353, 356 (5th Cir.1955) (holding that âcourts should require positive evidence of unusually extreme circumstances and should be thoroughly convinced that material injustice is manifest before exercising any such discretion to deny a citizen access to the courts of this country.â); SME Racks, Inc. v. Sistemas MecĂĄnicos Para ElectrĂłnica, S.A., 382 F.3d 1097, 1099,1100,1003 (llth Cir.2004). In a motion to dismiss for forum non conveniens, the movant must show that â(1) an adequate alternative forum is available, (2) the public and private factors weigh in favor of dismissal, and (3) the plaintiff can reinstate his suit in the alternative forum without undue inconvenience or prejudice.â Leon v. Million Air, Inc., 251 F.3d 1305 , 1311 (llth Cir.2001). The above factors are balanced with the court looking at the advantages and the disadvantages of each forum and with no one factor controlling. See Warter v. Boston Securities, S.A., 380 F.Supp.2d 1299, 1306 (S.D.Fla.2004). When analyzing the private and public factors, however, the private factors are considered first. See SME Racks, Inc. v. Sistemas MecĂĄnicos Para ElectrĂłnica, S.A, 382 F.3d 1097, 1100 (llth Cir.2004). If the private factors are found to be âequipoise or near equipoiseâ then the Court will turn to the public factors to tip the balance. Id. 1) Deference to Plaintiffsâ Choices of Forum In a forum non conveniens inquiry, courts show deference to a plaintiffs choice of forum. See SME Racks, Inc., 382 F.3d at 1101 (citing Gulf Oil Corp. v. Gilbert, 330 U.S. 501, 508 , 67 S.Ct. 839 , 91 L.Ed. 1055 (1947)). This presumption for the plaintiffs choice is strongest when the plaintiff is a United States citizen, resident, or corporation. Id. In fact, a material injustice must manifest before a court can deny a United States citizen access to a United States court. Id. A foreign plaintiffs choice of forum, however, is a weaker presumption and receives far less defer *1333 ence. See Leon v. Million Air, Inc., 251 F.3d 1305 , 1311 (11th Cir.2001). In this case, the main plaintiff is TNT USA, Inc. (âTNTâ), a Delaware corporation with an office in Miami. Therefore, in the following forum non conveniens analysis, TNTâs choice of forum will receive a high level of deference and a presumption of convenience. The other plaintiff, TNT Holdings B.V. (âTNT Holdingsâ), is a Dutch company incorporated in the Netherlands. However, the fact that TNT Holdings is a Dutch corporation has little effect upon the deference that must be given to the choice of forum made by TNT USA. TNT Holdings voluntarily commenced suit in the United States in order to enforce the rights it holds in the TNT trademark, and seeks to protect this markâs ability to generate a significant amount of business in the United States. 2) An Adequate Forum âAn adequate forum need not be a perfect forumâ however, the forum must afford a satisfactory remedy. Satz v. McDonnell Douglas Corp., 244 F.3d 1279 , 1283 (11th Cir.2001); see also Warter, 380 F.Supp.2d at 1307 (holding that an alternative foiâum is inadequate if the remedy it affords is âclearly unsatisfactoryâ or is âessentially no remedy at allâ). A forum is adequate even though it provides a remedy that would be substantially less than the remedy in the United States. See Sigalas v. Lido Maritime, Inc., 776 F.2d 1512, 1519 (11th Cir.1985). Furthermore, an adequate foxnxm is usually found when âthe defendant is amenable to process in that other forum.â Satz, 244 F.3d at 1283. Differences in law and procedure do not make the forum inadequate. In this case, defendants are willing to submit to jurisdiction in Mexico and are amenable to process in Mexico. Plaintiffs argue, however, that given individual defendant Eggartâs American citizenship and Miami residence, he is not amenable to process in Mexico, while defendant Toedtli, despite being a Mexican citizen, does maintain a residence in Key Biscayne, Florida. Furthermore, the corporate defendants in this case, despite maintaining headquarters in Mexico City, conduct a significant portion of their international business in American markets. Therefore it appears that three defendants have substantial contacts with the United States, while one of the defendants is an American citizen. Accordingly, this Court believes that the United States would serve as an equally adequate forum, especially since the case deals in part with TNTâs trademark in the American market. There is simply little to no legal or practical reason to seek redress for the alleged injuries from a Mexican court. 3) Private and Public Interest Factors The Supreme Court has outlined a number of factors for courts to consider in a forum non conveniens determination. These factors, however, are not exdxaustive or dispositive and the Court is free to be flexdble in responding to cases as they are presented. See SĂgalas, 776 F.2d at 1519 . The private interest factors include (1) ease of access to sources of proof and evidence, (2) availability and costs of obtaining willing and unwilling witnesses, and (3) âall other practical problems that make the trial of the case easy, expeditious and inexpensive.â Gilbert, 330 U.S. at 508 , 67 S.Ct. 839 . If the private interest factors are at equipoise, the Court will also consider the following public interest factors: â(1) the sovereignsâ interests in deciding the dispute, (2) the administrative burdens posed by trial, and (3) the need to *1334 apply foreign law.â Warter, 380 F.Supp.2d at 1314 (quoting Satz, 244 F.3d at 1284). A. Private Factors The analysis of private factors begins with the case of access to evidence and availability of witnesses. Defendants claim that âalmost all of the evidenceâ and the ârelevant sitesâ are located in Mexico, but have failed to articulate what key evidence and what key sites are actually found in Mexico. The evidence in this case consists primarily of the partiesâ written agreement (in English). TNTâs termination letter (also in English), and the improper usage of TNTâs trademark, which can be displayed and printed from a computer with an Internet connection. It appears the most important âsiteâ is defendant Trafimarâs website, and there is no need to be in Mexico to view the website. The only other situs of any consequence is TNTâs Miami hub, which defendants used to conduct a substantial amount of business in early 2005. Defendants assert that almost all of the âkey witnessesâ are located in Mexico, including individuals from the Mexican Board of Settlement and Arbitration, the Mexican Chamber of Deputies, Mexicoâs Attorney General office, TNTâs ânew agentâ in Mexico, and the Mexican labor union overseeing the employees of TNTâs ânew agent.â However, these witnesses listed by the defendants are at best tangentially related to Plaintiffsâ claims. Moreover, defendants have not explained why the location of these witnesses is truly an impediment to the prosecution of the action before this Court. Defendant Kevin Eggart lives and works in Florida. Defendant Willy Toedtli maintains a reside in Key Biscayne. Most, if not all, the remaining witnesses on defendantsâ side are employees of Trafimar or TrafiExpress, and such witnesses are under the control of those defendants. Accordingly, any such witnesses must be produced for deposition pursuant to Rules 26 and 30. Logistically speaking, conducting depositions of these witnesses in Mexico City is not burdensome, and traveling to Mexico to conduct a deposition does not amount to a valid reason to dismiss this action. In addition to the absence of any witness or evidence-related problems, there are also no practical concerns or expense related issues preventing the Southern District of Florida from serving as an adequate forum. Two out of the four defendants have a presence in this district, and the corporate defendants do business in American markets. Thus it is hardly burdensome to litigate in Miami, which is only a plane ride away from any witnesses or records under defendantsâ control that may be located in Mexico City. B. Public Factors The Eleventh Circuit has stated that public interest factors include (a) Court congestion and jury duty generated by matters with no relation to the forum; (b) the desirability of deciding localized controversies at home; (c) and conflict-of-law problems and difficulties applying foreign law. See C.A. La Seguridad v. Transytur Line, 707 F.2d 1304, 1307 (11th Cir.1983). âThe need to resolve and apply foreign law should âpoint the trial court towards dismissal.â â Sigalas, 776 F.2d at 1519 (quoting Piper, 454 U.S. at 260 , 102 S.Ct. 252 ). Dismissal is warranted so that events occurring on foreign land are adjudicated by foreign courts, especially where the foreign court has already adjudicated similar issues. See Ford, 319 F.3d at 1310; see *1335 also Piper, 454 U.S. at 260 , 102 S.Ct. 252 (holding that there is âa local interest in having localized controversies decided at homeâ). Furthermore, the Supreme Court has held that courts are better off applying the laws with which they are familiar. See Piper, 454 U.S. at 260 , 102 S.Ct. 252 ; see also Magnin v. Teledyne Continental Motors, 91 F.3d 1424, 1430 (11th Cir.1996) (holding that since French substantive law applied, it would be âfar better that the case be tried in France by one or more juristsâ who are familiar with French law). In this case, nearly all claims are premised upon American law, and a considerable amount of underlying activity occurred in the United States. Nevertheless, defendants argue that interpretation of the Mexican Civil Code, the Mexican Constitution, and the Mexican Code of Commerce is be necessary to determine the merits of plaintiffsâ claims. 2 This Court finds, however, that these sources of foreign law are largely inapplicable to plaintiffsâ Amended Complaint. With regards to plaintiffsâ claims under the Lanham Act, TNT has the right to invoke American trademark law in this forum to protect its mark and the business which that mark generates in the United States. There is no question that this forum is well-suited to address TrafiEx-pressâ alleged unauthorized use of the TNT trademark. See Bulova, 344 U.S. at 280, 282 , 73 S.Ct. 252 (holding that international comity does not preclude subject matter jurisdiction); Levi Strauss, 51 F.3d at 985 (finding that international comity does not prohibit the extraterritorial application of the Lanham Act); see also Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property of 1883 (in force in Mexico since September 7,1903 and preventing Mexican and American copyright and trademark laws from being in conflict by expressly affording international protection to service marks such as those at issue here). As for Plaintiffsâ non-Lanham Act claims, they include TNTâs ability to enforce the JOAâs termination provision and TNTâs right to determine who will send parcels into the United States through their Miami hub. These contractual provisions may be properly adjudicated in this forum, and even if foreign law were to play a role in interpreting contract provisions between the parties, this alone is not enough to take away TNTâs ability to litigate the case here in the United States. See SME Racks, Inc., 382 F.3d at 1104-05 (finding that âwhile the application of foreign law is an important factor to be considered in weighing the public interests, this factor cannot be accorded dispositive weight.â); Burt v. Isthmtis Development Co., 218 F.2d 353, 358 (5th Cir.1955) (finding the need to apply foreign law to decide a controversy does not amount to a sound reason to dismiss the case). IV. CONCLUSION For all the foregoing reasons, this Court finds the Lanham Act extraterritorially applicable in this case, and holds that under the doctrine of forum non conveniens, the plaintiffsâ chosen forum is proper and appropriate. Accordingly, defendantsâ Motion to Dismiss the Amended Complaint (D.E. No. 12) is DENIED. 1 . Even if the Court were to accept defendantsâ argument that infringement never extended beyond the Mexican border and no wrongful conduct transpired in the United States, the Lanham Act may still apply. In American Rice v. Arkansas Rice Growers Co-Operative Assoc., the Fifth Circuit ruled that extraterritorial conduct still produced a sufficient effect on interstate commerce, without requiring any showing of a substantial effect. American Rice, Inc. v. Arkansas Rice Growers Co-Operative Assoc., 701 F.2d 408 , 414 n. 8 (5th Cir. 1983); see also Bonner v. City of Prichard, 661 F.2d 1206 (11th Cir.1981) (enbanc) (adopting as binding precedent all decisions handed down by the former Fifth Circuit prior to October 1, 1981). Even though all of the infringing activity occurred in Saudi Arabia, the Court in American Rice, Inc. found a sufficient basis for subject matter jurisdiction. Id. at 414-415. 2 . Defendants also assert that matters alleged in the Amended Complaint are currently proceeding before the Mexican Board of Settlement and Arbitration, the Mexican Chamber of Deputies and Mexico's Attorney General. Defendants offer no support, however, for these assertions and state in their brief only that there "may be a source of potential conflict.â Such assertions are insufficient to warrant dismissal.
Case Information
- Court
- S.D. Fla.
- Decision Date
- April 3, 2006
- Status
- Precedential